Bridal Couture of Manhasset -- Buyer Beware

I wanted to share my experience with this vendor so that future brides were aware of the salon's sketchy and questionable practices. I ordered my dress from Bridal Couture because I attended a trunk show there and fell in love with my dress. The designer attended the show, personally took care of me, and agreed to a few changes that made my dress unique and reflective of my personality. On the day of the show, I ordered my dress and left a 50% deposit. I also was told that the designer makes a matching veil that is quite expensive but truly is the perfect addition to the dress. I loved the veil! The quoted me a price for the veil, wrote it on my card, and told me when I was ready, I could come back and order it at the agreed-upon price. Last week, I decided to order the veil and they told me that the designer increased the price by $100. I then raised the issue of the WRITTEN price that they gave me, which was $100 less than the designer is now charging. Can you believe that they would not honor the written price? I, of course, was very upset and expressed my frustration but the owner still would not budge. It's absolutely unbelievable that rather than having a satisfied customer, they would have me be upset and frustrated in the interest of getting $100. Not to mention that I am spending a SIGNIFICANT amount of money on my dress already as it is. They apparently could care less about having happy brides and customers. I, unfortunately, cannot cancel my order for my dress, because I already paid the deposit. However, I will be shopping for my veil at one of the other 3 stores in NY that carries the designer's dresses AND I will be taking my dress elsewhere to be altered once it arrives. The thought of dealing with these stingy people any longer truly makes my blood boil and makes me sick to my stomach. Since ordering my dress, I have heard HORRIBLE things about this salon but prayed that I would be lucky, particularly because the salesperson was very nice. Well, lesson learned. All I have to hope for now is that my dress makes it here in time for my May 2005 wedding because if it does not, I will sue Bridal Couture...with pleasure.

Re: Bridal Couture of Manhasset -- Buyer Beware

omg you poor thing!!!!!!



i went there to see dresses, and the dress i wanted was 4000 + dollars and i decided there was no way i could afford it.

hopefully everything will turn out okay with your dress and it'll be exaclty as you imagined!

did you try talking to the owner about this?

Re: Bridal Couture of Manhasset -- Buyer Beware

She didn't even have the courtesy to speak to me directly! Even though I asked to speak to her. I'm not going to sweat it. Just bide my time until my dress comes in.

Re: Bridal Couture of Manhasset -- Buyer Beware

I too ordered my dress from there, with a similiar situation. It was a trunk show, I fell in love with the dress, the designer was a doll and the salesperson was also very helpful. Then I heard all these horrible stories about them. So when my dress comes in, I plan on just going there trying it on and then taking it out of the store right away. I think alot of the complaints have been about alterations and custmer service so hopefully it won't be that bad for us. Good luck!

Re: Bridal Couture of Manhasset -- Buyer Beware

Sorry to hear you had such an experience there, although I am not surprised. My cousin bought her dress from them and spent about $6k and they were so rude to her throughout the experience (after she had bought the dress). She warned me, so although I went there to look (because they have a great selection of quality dresses) I did not get my dress there. A friend of mine from work had a horrible experience there with her dress and her MOB dress.

Re: Bridal Couture of Manhasset -- Buyer Beware

We got our bridesmaid dresses there for my sister's wedding. The people are nasty and rude. The tailors are not very accomidating either. All but one of the bridesmaids got their tailoring done there. The tailors insisted that our dresses could not be bustled (they each had a small train). They also insisted that there was nothing they could do w/ the top of the dress to avoid possible exposure (it was a deep V-neck). Anyway, the one bridesmaid who got her tailoring elsewhere had a bustle for her dress and her top was sewn together fine. The rest of us were stepping on eachothers trains all night and constantly monitoring our tops to make sure no one got a sneak peak! I have heard nothing good about that place!

Re: Bridal Couture of Manhasset -- Buyer Beware

It is now 11:44AM, I am curious as to how long before this post is pulled. 'Beware' is always a sure way to guarantee that.

Re: Bridal Couture of Manhasset -- Buyer Beware

I too have had a similar experience and I am pretty sure it is the same designer we are talking about. Is it Daniel Thompson? I am just curious because I know he was there 2 weekends ago but I don't think he does veils. In fact I have spoken to him on the phone and he doesn't do veils USUALLY because they are way too expensive. The lace he uses is usually too much for most people to spend for veils.
But all in all take your dress and run, don't walk, out of that store! They are going to hard core pressure you to get the alterations done there! Big time but don't let them!?! When I told the owner that I wasn't going to have the alterations there she threw a huge stink to the point of trying to call the place I said I was going to have the alterations done!
Most complaints are due to the alterations though. Even my next door neighbor had alteration/dress pressing issues with them. If you need a recommendation on a seamstress please let me know. She is a doll and put me at ease with the alteration drama they put me through.

Long story short they said I HAD to get the alterations done there because the alterations that had to be done were way to difficult for anyone else to do...Needless to say I called the designer and his exact words were 'well if they think that is difficult to do then maybe they shouldn't be the people to do your alterations.' essentially that it was an easy alteration to make...

So I am just trying to prepare you for the next round of headaches you are, unfortunately, going to have to endure with these people. If you need anything please let me know!

Re: Bridal Couture of Manhasset -- Buyer Beware

I just had to add to this thread to help out some of the people who may have bought their dresses there and are now worried....I bought my dress there and had a wonderful experience!
I had the alterations done there as well and they came out beautifully.
I was prepared for problems, becuase I heard horror stories...but I absolutely loved my dress....and the store as well.

Re: Bridal Couture of Manhasset -- Buyer Beware

palebride - thank you so much for your post. I have never heard anyone write something nice about them, and every time I read something bad I have a panic attack and worry for days. I hope I have a good experience too

Re: Bridal Couture of Manhasset -- Buyer Beware

Pale bride,
I'll keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best. I'm glad that you had a good experience. I just wanted to be sure that people were aware of these issues. When you're spending so much money on something, you expect better customer service.

For the other post, it's 4:25 and it's still up!